Violin bow



Oct. 9, 1928. 1,686,554

c. B. GRAY VIOLIN BOW Original Filed Aug. 4. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 9, 1928. 1,686,554

c. B. GRAY VIOLIN BOW Original Filed Aug. 4. 1922 2 s t t 2 [Ia/F F2 9.

.2? f1 UIWIIHIIHIIHIIIWIIIUIII 'IIIIllIIIlIIlII/I mzi w @244 Kg;

Patented Get. 9, 192's.

CHARLES R'GRAY, or PHILADELPHIA," PENNSYLVANIA.

manner of attaching the 'hairto the frog and VIOLIN BOW.

Application filed August 4, 1922, Serial No. 579,696. Renewed January 10, 1928.

My improrenient relates particularly to the nut of violin bows.

The objectof theinvention is to so'join the flat bunch or strip of hair to thefifrog and tothe nut as to permit the bunch ofhair 'to;;rest fiatwiselon the string regardless of the radial position of the bow, in order that, when so desired, the entire Width of the bunch of hair will make contact with the string-during the entire stroke of thebow. But itis also intended that there shall be suflicient resistance to the turning of the bunch of hair to permit moving the bow across the string with. only the edge of the bunch of hair making contact with the striilig, as is desirable when the tone is to be wea i.

Thelimprovement includes ait'orm of terminal structure forengagingthc ends of the hairv and includes. also means .iorlengaging such term'nal structure to the frog and to thenut ofthe bow, in such manner as to permi t rovking of the terminal structures on an axial line which is parallel to the bunch of h hair.

I In the accompanying drawings:

i Fig. 1 is a perspective of avio-lin bow embodying my improvement, the bow beinginbroken away; i I I I p F ig. 2 shows a part of the, frog and the adjacent end of the ribbon of hair and the terminal for securing the hair, these parts being inverted; l

Fig. 3 is a section on the line,3 3, of F12 v v Fig. 4 is a section on the line, 4 4 of Fig. 2, looking toward the righ rel-ted and the middle part thereof being Fig 5 is a section on theline, 5'5, of Fig.

3, looking toward the right Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate another form of means for connecting the terminal structure with the frog, Fig. 7 being a section'on'the -line,77,of Fig.6; c I

' Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate anotheriorm oit' means for connecting the terminal structure with the frog,'Fig.. 9 being "a section on the Figs. 10, 11 and 12 illustrate another form of terminal structure, Fig. 11 being an up-' right section on the line,fl1111, of FigJlO,

looking toward. the right, and Fig 121061 1 an upright section on the line, 12-12, of i F ig. 10, looking toward the right;

Figs. 13, 14c and 15 illustrate another form oiterminal structure, Fig. 14 being an upright section on theline, 14-14t, of Fig. 13, looking toward the left, and. Fig. 15 being an upright section on the line, 1515, of F ig. 13, looking toward the left;

,Figs. 16-and17 illustrate the form of terminal structure shownby Figs. 13, 14 and 15, with the addition of cloth applied around the end of the hair bunch;

Figs. 18 and 19 illustrate a terminal structure similar to that shown by Figs. 2, ,3, 4 and 5, and metal members for joining the terminal structure to the adjacentabutment. Referring first'toFigs. 1, 2, 3,4: and 5 of said drawings, A is the bow stick, B is the nut, and C is the frog slidable on the E the bunch of the frog. The frog and the nut each con bow stick by means of the tension screw, D, [through any well known connection between the screw and the frog. hair which is stretched between the nut and sti'tute an abutment for the suspension of the r bunch or strip of hair. To each end of the bunch, E, is attached a terminal structure,

F. Said structure comprises a member, F and a member, F Said members together form. a. clamp for engaging the bunch of hair, The member, F has a" horizontal part over which extends the member, F the body of the member, F being; parallel to the body of the member, F lut the nicniber, F nis long cnoughto allow'folding over the cndsof the member, F The hairs of the bunch, E, extend across the upper face of-the'member, F and then downward and in the reverse diretion between the menu hers, F? and F in folding theends of the member, F said ends are made tobear against the lower face of the member, F with sufficient force to clamp the hair be tween the lower face of the member, F and the. upper face of the member, F -Before this engageinent'is made, if so desired, an

,adhesiyn may; he applied to the hair or to the oppos ng facesot' the members, F and F for causing adhesionot the hairs to each other and to the members, F and F To' provide added strength,- the' ends of the member, F may be soldered to the member,

F bythe use 01 a solder which does not;

injuriously heat the hair. The ends of the hair are preferably made to project through the space between the members, F and F and the ends then scared by the application of a. hot tool. such searing resulting in the thickening of the ends of the hair and such thickening i cting the same as would aknotfor preventing the slipping of the hair between the members, F and F The edge of the member, F which is nearer the other terminal is turned downward to "form a flange, if which bears against the adjacent edge 01"? the member, F -the ends of the member, F which are turned under the member. F The opposite edge of the member, F is extended horizontally beyond the adjacent edge of the member, F and then turned upward to form a flange, F in said flange are two horizontal eyes, F, which are substantially at the level of the bunch of hair. E, and at opposite sides and equidistant from the middle line of the bunch of hair.

An endless cord, G. extends through said two eyes and over the lower face of the frog and around a screw, G and between a washer, G and the frog, the washer surrounding" the screw and the screw extending into the frog. he cord, G, may is composed of any pliable or flexible material.

A piece of closely woven fish line will answer. The piece being cut suitable length and its ends tied together to make the cord continuous.

lVhen the tension screw, D, is turned to slide the frog tor putting the hair under" tension, the bow stick bends to some extent, and therebv the frog is tilted relative to the axial line of the hair bunch. hen that occurs, the cord, G. bends at the place of its contact with the frog nearest the adj acent terminal structure.

It is to be observed that the cord, G, constitutes a tension member extending from the terminal structure to the screw, G and said tension member is easily bendable.

lit the other end of the how, a second terminal is torined like the terminal already described, and the connection between the second terminal and the nut is made by a cord, G, screw, G a washer. G the screw and the washer being seated on the lower face of the nut.

hen the frog is drawn by the tension screw. D. the cord, G. which is on the frog is drawn in the same direction, by the screw, G By this means the adjacent terminal structure is drawn in the same direction. whereby the bunch of hair, E, and the second tension structure and the cord on the nut are put under tension. The degree of such tension is determined by the person turning the tension screw, D.

ien such tension has been produced, the terminal structures will stand parallel to the lower faces of the frog and the nut, this being eli'ected by the two parts of each of the cords. G. But each terminal structure is free to be tilted approximately on the axial line of said structures and the bunch of hair. Either part of the cord, G, may move away from the adjacent face of the frog or the nut, the rotation of the terminal structure being on the other part of the cord, G. The ease with which the terminal structures may be thus tilted depends upon the distance between parts of: the cord, which depends upon thedistance between the eyes, F". If those eyes are near each other, such tilting is easier than when said eyes are separated relatively far from each other. The ease with which such tilting may be produced is also dependent to some extent upon the distance between the terminal structure and the screw, G

During ordinary use of the bow on the violin, the pressure of the bow on the strings is to be sul'licient to cause the tilting of the terminal structures so as to keep the entire width of the bunch or strip of hair flat upon the string during the entire stroke, whereby the tone is kept of uniform strength throuehout the entire stroke. But if soft tones are desired, the bow is to be turned with light pressure so as to cause the edge of the bunch of hair to bear upon the string, the pressure applied to the bow being insufticicnt to over-come the resista ce which the terminal structures offer to tilting.

In Figs. 6 and 7 the ends of the cord are not tied to each other. They are clamped between said washer and the adjacent face of the frog or the nut. This form permits easy adjustment of the space between the screw, G and the flange, F, of the terminal structure, such adjustment being. made by retracting the screw, G until the washer releases the cord sutliciently to permit drawing the cord through the desired distance in the required direction.

In Figs. 8 and 9. the taco of the frog or nut is provided with a recess, G, sutliciently deep to receive the washer and cord, and the edges of the washer are provided with notches, G, to receive the cord, the parts of the cord covered 'by the washer being pressed into the recess. :ly this means stronger engagement of the cord is produced than is the case when the washer is merely seated on the face of the frog or nut.

In the term shown by Figs. 10, 11 and 12, the terminal structure is formed of a single piece of sheet metal, F, which resembles the member, F of Figs. 2, 3 and 1, the member, F being long enough to be bent around the hair bunch, as shown by Fig. 12. On said member is a horizontal extension, F on which is a flange, F corresponding to the flange, F, of Figs. 2 and 8. Said flange has two eyes, F corresponding to the eyes, F

" hair bundh which is correspondingly folded {inthe reverse direction. In the form shown tendingthrough the plate.

by Figs. 16-and 17',"the construction is; the

same as 'thelast preceding form, excepting that aband of cloth,'F is placed around the end of I the 'h'airbunch-and secured there- I 'to by adhesive'beforethe hair bunch is 'engagedby the terminal structure.

'jln'Figs. 18 and I9, acouplingibetween the I'termina1 structure and "the. abutment is formed by applying to'the abutment a -metal plate, I, 'wliic'his secured "by a. screw, J ex- This pla'te'projects beyond the abutment toward the adjacent ternii'na'l structure and is shaped to,

Torin an 'apertured half ball soeket,- Ir. A

terminal structure, and extends into the socket, I and there supportsa half'ball,

L1, Whichis jseatedin saidjsoc'ket, ,In the aperture in the plate, if, space is left around the stem, I,"to permit lateral movement of" p p tare-secured to the other endof the bunch said stem'in any-direction. Thus provision is made "for'permittin'gthetilting of'the ad jacent terminal structure 'a'nd 'also to per- L I p a CQId'JOlDd to said *termlnal structure and Init vtilting of the frog relative to the length of the hair bu'nch whenthe tension screw is turned; With the terminal structure and (0 the abutment, I associate means'foryieldingly holding the 11 air bunchfparallel to the lower "faces of *thedabutments. LA wire spring, J, resembling in wire hair pin with an inward fold, J, at ,tliefclosed end is held "to the abutmentby means of a. screw,

The endsof the wire, J, rest upon-the edge fO f the flange,'F. The wire is long enough and thin enough to adapt it'to bend under small strains, in order that 'theterminal structure may readily turn when the hair,

, bunch is pressed upon a violin spring and yet return to normal position when such;

pressure has been released, and inorderthat,

for the making of a light tone, the bow may" 'be'drawn with one edge of the hair bunch across the violin string. H It is "to be "noted "that the terminal structures are tobe madecompactandthat it is preferable to make them light; "For this 7 fpurpose, aluminum or an i'IllOyKYf aluminum may; 'bensed. r

claim as'my invention, I lIIn a violin bow, the combination with the bow stick and two abutments adjustable relative to each other, of a bunch ofparallel hair having one end inoperative relationwith one of said a'butments, a "terminal structore secured-totheothe-rend of the bunch of hair andspaced from the adjacent abutment,

and a twistable tension member joinedto 1 said terminal structure and the adjacent abutment, substantially as described. 1

-' 2. In a violin how, the combination with the bow stick' and two abutment s adjustable relative to each other, ofa bunch of parallel hair having one end in operative relation withone of said abutments, a terminal structure secured to the otherend ofthe bunchof hair and spaced from-the adjacent abutment, Sand cord joined to said terminal strue- I "ture and the adjacent abutment,substantially as described.

" 3. In a violin 'bow, "the combination with of hair and spaced from the "adjacent abutment, a screw on the adjacent abutment, and 1a twistable tension member-joined to said "terminal structure and in operative relation with said screw, substantially-as described.

4.. Ina viclinbow, the combination with a bow stick and two abutments adjustable rel ative to each other, of a bunch'of parallel hair having one end in operative relation with; one of said abutments, a terminal struco'f hair and spaced from the adjacent abutment,-ascrew on the adjacent abutment, and

lucrative relation with said screw, substantia lly as described.

- In aviolinbow, the combination'wit h the bow stick and two abutments adjustable relative to each other, of a bunch of parallel hair having one end in operative relation {with aone of "said abutnients, a terminal structure secured to the other end of the bunch of hair and spaced from the adjacent joined to said terminalstructure, and a screw "and a. washer in operat vefrelation with said tension' niemberand seated on said abutment,

hair having one end in operative relation a Withoneof said abutments, atermina'l structure s'pacedfrom the ad acent abutment and applied to the other end of the hair bunch and'including a folded metalplate, and tw st-able means oining the terminal structhe bow stick and two abutments adjustable relative to each other, of a bunch of parallel abutment, and a twistabletension 'member 'tu're to *th'eadjacent abutment, substantially hair having one end in operative relation with one of said abutments, a terminal structure spaced from the adjacent abutment and applied to the other end of the hair bunch and including a transverse metal member folded upon itself transversely to the length of the bow, and twistable means joining the terminal structure to the adjacent abutment, substantially as described.

8. In a violin how, the combination with the bow stick and two abutments adjustable relative to each other, of a bunch of parallel hair having one end in operative relation with one of said abut-ments and having its opposite end folded, a terminal structure spaced from the adjacent abutment and engaging the folded end of the hair bunch, and twistable means joining the terminal structure to the adjacent abutment, substantially as described.

9. In a violin bow, the combination of a bow stick and two abutments adjustable relative to each other, of a bunch of parallel hair having one end in operative relation with one of said abutments, a terminal structure spaced from the adjacent abutment and applied to the other end of the hair bunch and twist-able tension means in operative relation with the, adjacent abutment and engaging the terminal structure at diverse points substantially as described.

10. In a violin bow, the combination with a bow stick and two abutments adjustable relative to each other, of a bunch of parallel hair having one end in operative relation with one or said abutments, a terminal structure spaced from the adjacent abutment and secured to the other end of the bunch of hair and having two eyes, and twistablc tension means joined to the adjacent, abutment and engaged in said eyes, substantially as described. I

11. In a violin bow, the combination with a bow stick and two abutments adjustable relative to each other, of a bunch of parallel hair having one end in operative relation with one of said abutments, a terminal structure spaced from the adjacent abutment and secured to the other end of the bunch of hair, a twistable tension member engaglng the terminal structure, and means on the adjacent abutment engaging the ends of the tension member, substantially as described.

12 In a violin bow, the combination with a bow stick and two abutments adjustable relative to each other, of a bunch of parallel hair having one end in operative relation with one of said abutments, a terminal structure spaced from the adjacent abutment and secured to the other end of the bunch of hair, a twistable tension member engaging the terminal structure, and a screw and washer located on the adjacent abutment and engaging the ends of the tension members,

'substantia ly as described. a

13. In a violin bow, the comblnation with a bow stick and two abutments ad ustable relative to each other and the second of which has a recess, of a bunch of parallel hair hav ing one end in operative relation with the first of said abutn'ients, a terminal structure spaced I from the adjacent abutmentand secured to ing into said recess and beneath said washer substantially as described. I

, let. In a violin how, the combination with the bow stick and two abutments adjustable rclati to each other, of a bunch of parallel hair having one end in operative relation with one of said abutments, a terminal structure spaced from the adjacent abutment and applied to the other end of the hair bunch, and a duplex twistable tension means socured to the terminal structure and to the horizontal face of the adjacent abutment and resting upon said face at opposite sides of the axis of the bunch of hair, substantially as described.

15. In a violin how, the combination with he bow stick and the-abutments, of a bunch of parallel hair and means attaching the ends oi the bunch of hair to the abutments and engaging the abutments at each side of a line winch is approximately colncident with the middle longitudinal line of the bu ch of hair, substantially as described.

16. The combination of a bunch of par allel hair, a terminal structure, a twlstable tension member extending to each side of the y axis o1 the bunch of hair and adapted to extend over and rest on and be secured to the face of a violin bow abutment, substantially as described.

1'7. The combination of a bunch of parallel hair, a terminal structure, and a duplex t istable tension member extending to each side of the axis of the bunch of hair and adapted to extend over and rest on and be secured to the face of a violin bow abutment substantially as described.

18. The combination of a violin bow abutmeet, a bunch 01 parallel hair, a bendable terminal structure spaced from the adjacent abutment, and a twistable connecting membe} 7601 joining the terminal structure rotatably to said abutment, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name, this brd day of August, in the year one thousand nine hundred and twenty-two.

CH RLES GRAY, 

